More rain forecast for week ahead after Cyclone Vaianu

By PJ Taylor

On top of the large amount of rain Cyclone Vaianu has dumped on Auckland and the rest of the North Island over the past day, more precipitation is forecast for the week ahead.

MetService is reporting this Sunday afternoon daily forecasts for the next six days:

Sunday, April 12: Rain with heavy falls, easing to isolated showers in the afternoon before clearing in the evening. Southeasterly winds, gales north of Orewa, changing severe gale southwesterly everywhere early this afternoon, gusting 120km/h in exposed places.

Monday, April 13: A few showers, persistent and heavier with possible thunderstorms for a time in the afternoon and evening. Northwesterly winds, stronger for a time in the afternoon and evening.

Tuesday, April 14: Showers developing in the morning. Northwesterlies.

Wednesday, April 15: Showers clearing to fine in the morning. Southwesterlies, becoming strong in the morning.

Thursday, April 16: Mainly fine, a few showers from afternoon. Westerlies.

Friday: April 17: A few showers developing. Northwesterlies developing.

Saturday, April 18: Rain with northwesterlies.

Temperatures for the week ahead will have overnight lows ranging between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius, and daytime highs of 20 to 22.

Meanwhile, Metservice says Cyclone Vaianu’s position and impacts on Sunday afternoon:

• The cyclone is tracking south towards the Bay of Plenty, already bringing destructive winds, heavy rain, and large swells.
• Severe wind threat: Red Strong Wind Warnings are in place for Bay of Plenty and Coromandel, with gusts up to 130km/h posing risks to life, infrastructure, transport, and power supply; Orange warnings and watches also extend across much of the North Island
• Heavy rain and flooding risk: Bands of rain are producing significant rainfall, particularly over higher terrain from Coromandel to the East Coast of the North Island, with multiple Heavy Rain Warnings and Watches active
• Coastal and future impacts: Onshore winds, large swells, and rising rivers increase the risk of coastal inundation, especially around high tide
• Cyclone Vaianu is forecast to cross the North Island today, April 12, and affect the Chatham Islands early Monday

“At 11.30am Sunday, the centre of Cyclone Vaianu was situated due east of Coromandel Peninsular, tracking southwards towards the Bay of Plenty,” says MetService.

“While the centre is still offshore, the strong winds, heavy rain and large swells associated with this system are being felt far from the centre.

“Overnight, gusts of over 130km/h were recorded at Mokohinau and Channel Island and 24-hour rainfall totals in Whangārei reached over 100mm.”